Ruptured intracranial aneurysms; case morbidity and mortality

The authors review 100 consecutive cases of ruptured intracranial aneurysms to assess the overall morbidity and mortality. Patients were placed on a regimen of bed rest, sedation, control of blood pressure, anticonvulsants, and antifibrinolytic therapy. Surgery was performed on 86 patients with hypotensive anesthesia and microsurgical techniques. The incidence of early rebleeding while on epsilon aminocaproic acid and control of blood pressure was 11.8%. The overall surgical mortality was 8.1%, and the surgical mortality of patients in Grades 1, 2, and 3 was 6.3%. Of the 100 patients, 60 were able to return to their prior activities, and 25 had moderate neurological deficits that required limitation of their activities. The total case mortality was 15%. The evidence presented indicates that the regimen of active medical treatment before microsurgical intervention has improved the overall case morbidity and mortality, as well as the chance for long term survival.